Peshawar, May 4, 2017 – The Digital Youth Summit (DYS) kicked off in Peshawar today and has
evolved from bringing together the next generation of digital innovators since 2014, to helping map out
Pakistan’s digital future and transforming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) into an emerging technology hub.
The summit brings together top local and international entrepreneurs and technologists as well as
companies and investors, to share knowledge and experience while training and investing in the youth of
KP. To sustain and leverage the summit’s momentum, the KP Digital Strategy was unveiled at the summit
to provide a roadmap for KP to equip young people with the skills, access, and markets they need to
secure and create jobs in the knowledge economy.

“KP is taking digital opportunities for our people very seriously and wants to become a leader in technology
that will be informed by this strategy through sound policies and reforms, some that we will announce over
the next few days,” said Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Managing Director of the KP IT Board. “We’ve already
launched programs to attract investment such as the CPEC corridor and other infrastructure and private
sector initiatives and hope to build on these foundations with our private sector and development partners.”

The strategy encompasses four pillars of digital access, digital governance, digital markets, and digital
skills. Access emphasizes the effective use of digital technologies such as using the internet to find
services and jobs, and being able to discern between accurate and false information. Governance focuses
on how technology can promote better services, efficiency, and innovation. Digital markets focus on a
creating and maintaining a conducive environment for digital growth and seeks to address barriers in
policies and regulation to attract and foster investments. Skills will help equip young people with the tools
and knowledge to improve their abilities and competitiveness in the global market.

“The digital strategy encompasses inputs from a wide range of groups including across government
departments, the private sector, and organizations such as the World Bank to make it as relevant and
robust as possible,” said Khan. “As we implement it, we will continue to refine it based on feedback and
experience to keep it relevant and at the cutting edge,”

During the Summit, it is expected that around 4000 people will attend to discuss a wide range of topics
from e-commerce to digital security in Pakistan. The summit will culminate in a Startup Cup for young
entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas to investors.

Digital economy is the future. It's a driver of innovation and entrepreneurship than can boost inclusive and
smart development in Pakistan. Over 80 percent of Pakistan's population is offline. Closing this gap will
create new job opportunities for the millions entering the labour force.’ said Mr. Patchamuthu Illangovan,
World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.

This year’s summit is organized by the KP IT Board and the World Bank Group and is powered by Jazz,
supported by USAID, and sponsored by the Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, UNDP, Bank of
Khyber, Gloria Jeans Coffee, March Designs, Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, the Multi-Donor
Trust Fund for KP, FATA and Balochistan, Codematics, and Animation Republic.